PistolPete13

10 hours ago, JAGR said:

Hi, Pistol Pete:  Loved your review, but I have a question about getting a ride to the terminal. Google Maps is confusing. If I am taking an Uber from my hotel in Prospect Park, can the driver drop me off right at the terminal, by pier 12? It looks like a private road, and I have two pieces of roller luggage. Thanks!

Yup, you can go right up to the entrance.  Of course, depending on the traffic situation, you can always jump out a bit early if there is a jam right up front but I saw some workers good about waving traffic along.

This is strange.  For my checkin last I used the laptop website to enter the passport information but went over to the phone app to complete the credit card linkage and photo process.  My issue was that the credit card entry screen wasn't even present on the web page.

I was able to retain the data entered from the laptop when I switched over to the phone app...

3 hours ago, Fogfog said:

I am a techno geek for this kind of stuff too

Love the whole harbor pilots thing as well

 

Check out the pilot transfer on my Prima trip to Bermuda back in 2022.  Unique view due to the glass walkway.:
 

Glad to heard that your mom is doing OK under the circumstances!  She seems like quite the trooper!  When are you due in port?  Tomorrow?  Just make sure to keep all passport and critical paperwork for the both of you with you at all times.

13 minutes ago, Fogfog said:

Thanks

I'll take a look

There was someone who took pix of pax on sail away--the ship and they'd be waving at the photog-- knowing where they were.. sailing of of NY.

Don't know if those were drones, or big lenses, it could have been as far back as 2015 that I am thinking of..since 2020 seems a lifetime ago (ha)

Wondering if anyone does that anymore

Best

fog

 

Edited to add-- just love these-- the ships, the cherry blossoms--the skyline

That was me, I took a photo of @Turtles06 during one of his NYC departures.  At that time I had a 36MP Nikon D800e and paired with a 500mm zoom lens you can make out some rough faces of people on the top deck of the ship is you zoom into the photo at 100% resolution.

That was a one shot deal for me as a fun challenge to see if it was even possible and to my surprise it was!

https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzMWuq

https://flic.kr/s/aHsmWtWwrm

What would you like to know @Fogfog?  I went through a period of time during Covid where I wanted to get as many of the different cruise ships leaving NYC as possible.  I discovered the RCCL was the only line they left consistently on time!  I've linked to albums above with some of my photos during that time.

Oh no, that's terrible!

17 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

@PistolPete13  Thank you.  For years I carried a SLR / Digital SLR with me and even a few times took a tripod as this was the only way to ensure a steady platform to take long exposure photo's.  Over time this became a burden so now I just use my cell phone and pray for the best.  

 

The tech is amazing now.  Most of the photos I posted were taken between ISO 4000 and 12800(!)  This, plus built in stabilization on the camera body or lens, allowed me to handhold at a shutter speed high enough to minimize shake.

13 minutes ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

 

I had the same question 😁

 

1 hour ago, DaKahuna said:

 

Beautiful nighttime pictures.  i have to ask, what camera did you use to take them.  My nighttime exposures usually end up blurred and not crystal clear like yours. 

 

Thank you both.  I'm a bit embarassed to say I was using a Nikon Z9 camera, not exactly a daily camera for most people!  

But more importantly, I've been taking night skyline photos for a long time (10+ yrs) and have spent many hours learning and refining the process for getting the most out of the photos I get with post processing software.

I do have my misses too like my smeared night shots of Icon of the Seas sailing away just a few minutes before these were taken.  By the time I realized what was wrong it was too late to change my settings and correct, the ship had literally sailed!  I blame the food coma after eating too fast in the buffet and then running outside for the sailaway.  LOL. 

Port Miami nighttime sailaway.

 

18 minutes ago, LorraineP said:

Port or starboard side?

Let's see, walking toward the buffet in the back it would always be on the right side.  Port!  LOL 

Hi,

I was just on an 11 day sailing on this ship last month and yes, one entire side of the pool deck area is dedicated for smokers.  Only the covered section where there are tables set up have ash trays on them.

Not for nothing but I ended up kicking myself for taking the wrong side walk the across the pool deck the first few days before I learned.  There were a lot of smokers probably due to more Europeans on the sailing, just a guess.

That said, the smoke didn't carry very far on the pool deck at all I found.  If you're on the non-smoking side, I don't think you'd notice a thing.

Pete

6 minutes ago, pamelanj said:

Did your itinerary having you do 2 days at sea on way back? Just wondering if that first day is still somewhat warm? Hoping to have some warm days.

 

Was this your first MSC? I saw on your profile that NCL is your favorite. How did MSC compare?

 

We were on NCL NYE cruise out of FL and it seems like months ago!  

Lot's of details on my semi-Live thread below:
 

Unfortunately we sailed out during one of the strongest cold snaps of this winter so far.  It was both the temps and wind that made it uncomfortable to be outside until we were south of Florida and only then barely warm (see the photos of me on deck with sweats and a hoodie).

But typically on winter sailings (I've done 3 from NYC now) the first and last 2 sea days don't expect too much time outdoors.  One of the reasons I decided a balcony was not worth it this time of the year.

29 minutes ago, pamelanj said:

Wow! Thanks for sharing your album. You are an amazing photographer! The bird in flight pics were awesome.

 

What dates were you on your cruise? I love the snow vs 84 degree variation.😊

Thank you.

I was on the Mera from 1/15-1/26. 

Cozumel, Costa Maya, Ocean Cay, and Miami were the major stops.

Feels like a long time ago now!  LOL 

Here is a link to a photo album of my 11 day sailing last month from NYC including some food photos. 

Let me know if you have specific questions!

https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjB5C8d

34 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

I see you got a shot of the new MSC terminal in there. I was really hoping it would be ready for my sailing this weekend way back when we booked it and they said it would open in January. I think now they are more on track for May?

I think May is more realistic.  There was work going on when we pulled in at 6:30AM and when we left at 9PM as well.  They're definitely running 2 shifts and maybe even 3 with the construction.

Ocean Cay and Miami photos with some Icon of the Seas thrown in.

 

1 hour ago, Cruzinforpeace*** said:

By the way, due to rough weather we’re missing Port Canaveral and the private island.  Tomorrow we dock in Miami at 7am for a full day then Nassau on Thursday as scheduled.  We’re doing the 7.5 hour Miami excursion that includes an airboat tour of the Everglades, an alligator show and touring Miami including Little Havana.  Looking forward to it.

Interesting, I would've thought Port Canaveral and Ocean Caye would be reliable stops given their dedicated piers, especially PC.  It must be a bad storm!

EDIT: It looks like bad winds is the main cause.

2 minutes ago, alserrod said:

Thank you

 

I will read later the rest of your diary. I am learning more about with these experiences than with a lot of pages.

 

Just one question. Can you make some pictures about what is available on the buffet after meals? (I know there's pizza what... what else?, for some hours or the whole day?)

 

Thank you

I'm still processing photos that include all the food items I ate.  Didn't think I would post those here and bore everyone to tears.

Here is a link to the photo album where you can see all the good, bad, and ugly!

https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjB5C8d

26 minutes ago, alserrod said:

I still don't have time but...
- Yes, I have been able to download the MSCforme app, and it works for me with my name and reservation number, but very limited use. For the cruise... Also with name and reservation number or will I need to provide more information?
- I have read about the app failing in I don't know how many places. Any advice besides patience?
- and I have not been able to register as frequent travelers. Does it have to be after traveling?

The mobile app is limited until you connect to the onboard ship Wifi (this is free even without an Internet package) when it then transforms into an electronic version of the daily planner sheets for all activities on the ship.  It also becomes a window into your onboard account and your spend/credits.

I found the WiFi access on the Meraviglia at least to be rock solid and the app dependable during my cruise.

1 minute ago, alserrod said:

 

 

 

Hello

Can you explain this better?
I understand that when you check-in you have to hand over all the suitcases except the "carry-on luggage". The suitcases are delivered to you throughout the day (and they ask you to notify them if they have not arrived by 8:00 p.m.). Is it like that?
What can you leave at the bedroom door?
When you first enter the ship, is the room already prepared or may you have to wait?

 

 

Sure but keep in mind that I only carried all my luggage and didn't check in anything to be delivered.

Once you get onboard, you can make your way to your stateroom.  From what I saw, many rooms already had their luggage placed in front of their doors.  If the room is not fully ready yet (it's obvious depending on where the steward for your section is currently working) you can ask to put your carry on luggage in a closet this way you be free to go eat or explore the ship without dragging too much excess.

Keep in mind this might change at any time as I can see how having passenger stuff all over a room not fully ready yet could interfere with the clean up process.

30 minutes ago, jcpc said:

@PistolPete13 When I sailed last September the shows were 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm.  But on the Daily Activity Sheets you posted on January 27th it states that the late show in the Broadway Theater started at 10 pm.  I was hoping they changed the start time from 9:30 to 10:00!

Duplicate

Here is a view of the parking lot from the ship.  My sailing was pretty full but the lot was only 2/3 full maybe?  I'm sure the cost for an 11 day trip had something to do with it.

11 minutes ago, jcpc said:

@PistolPete13 When I sailed last September the shows were 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm.  But on the Daily Activity Sheets you posted on January 27th it states that the late show in the Broadway Theater started at 10 pm.  I was hoping they changed the start time from 9:30 to 10:00!

During my sailing the seating for the theater opened up and 9:30PM and the show started around 10-ish.  I only went to the late show.  I swear there was a 5:30/6PM show.  Let me look at my daily schedule sheet...

Yes, there are normally 3 shows a night at the B'way theater.

20 hours ago, Cruzinforpeace*** said:

Just came from the buffet and at 2:30pm can’t even hear yourself think.  I think it’s a combination of poor acoustical planning (no carpets and lots of metal) and a lot of European and Asian visitors who tend to sound like they’re yelling when they speak.  I’m Greek so I know from experience.  My son has a shirt that says “I’m not yelling at you, I’m just Greek!”  I don’t think this buffet is any more chaotic than other ships.  It’s the volume of noise that makes it seem chaotic.  We always get a seat and haven’t had any long waits in the lines.  The buffet food so far this cruise is excellent, better than Celebrity.

I discovered that the back of the buffet area near where the doors open up for the outdoor seating area tends to be the quietest (relative) to the rest of the venue.  Most people don't want to walk that far after grabbing their plates of food.

Interesting you mention the quality of food.  I was on an 11-day a few weeks ago and in hindsight found the food in the buffet to be average and not at good as NCL.  Keep in mind that the last time I sailed with NCL was 12 months ago and with food costs being what they are, I don't know if NCL has declined a bit as well.

Surprised at the comparision to Celebrity.  I always thought of them as the top tier of the mainstream ships.  They're not very price friendly for solo travelers unfortunately.